A footballer who accuses France’s star striker Karim Benzema of attempting to blackmail him utilizing ‘an intimate intercourse tape’ that was going to be bought to the English media feared the scandal would destroy his profession, a court docket heard at this time.
Mathieu Valbuena, 37, accuses Actual Madrid striker Benzema, 33, of working with 4 childhood buddies to attempt to extort cash out of him.
‘At first, I didn’t consider it, I believed it was a hoax,’ mentioned Valbuena, who additionally used to play for France’s nationwide group with Benzema. ‘However then ‘I felt in peril, and there was a worry for my sports activities profession if the video got here to mild.’
Benzema, who earns a primary wage of round £10m a 12 months, faces as much as 5 years in jail if discovered responsible following his three-day trial which opened on the Versailles Prison Courtroom, west of Paris, on Wednesday.
Regardless of the severity of the costs, Benzema opted to avoid court docket, saying he was getting ready for video games together with his membership facet, Actual Madrid.
Mathieu Valbuena, 37, (pictured proper together with his lawyer outdoors the courtroom at this time) accuses Actual Madrid striker Benzema, 33, of working with 4 childhood buddies to attempt to extort cash out of him
Karim Benzema (pictured on Tuesday enjoying for Actual Madrid) is accused of attempting to blackmail Valbuena utilizing ‘an intimate intercourse tape’ that was going to be bought to the English media
Earlier than getting into court docket on Wednesday, Valbuena, who performs for Greek Tremendous League membership Olympiacos, advised ready journalists: ‘We have been coping with this for six years. I see that everybody is there… nearly.
‘Benzema is lacking. It is a disgrace, however that is how it’s. We go all the best way. We’ve been ready six years – the time it can take to for us to place all this behind us.’
Paul-Albert Iweins, Valbuena’s lawyer, mentioned: ‘For 5 years, Mr Benzema has proclaimed that he desires a confrontation with my consumer. I hope the court docket attracts the implications.’
Past the 5 years, Benzema faces a advantageous equal to round £65,000 if discovered responsible of complicity in tried blackmail.
4 co-accused, who’re all outdated buddies of the striker, additionally face costs of tried blackmail.
Mathieu Valbuena (proper) leaves the courtroom on the opening day of the trial involving Actual Madrid ahead Karim Benzema
Mathieu Valbuena, 37, (pictured) accuses Actual Madrid striker Benzema, 33, of working with 4 childhood buddies to attempt to extort cash out of him
All are mentioned to have humiliated Valbuena by threatening to publish a intercourse video ‘within the English media’ exhibiting him having ‘intimate relations’ with a companion.
A prosecuting supply mentioned: ‘Karim Benzema has admitted chatting with Valbuena on the request of a childhood good friend, who was approached by three blackmailers who have been in possession of the intercourse tape.’
However Benzema’s lawyer, Antoine Vey, mentioned his consumer was fully harmless and took no half within the blackmail plot.
Mr Vey mentioned his consumer was absent from court docket ‘for skilled causes’, together with getting ready for a recreation towards Barcelona on Sunday.
Benzema himself has referred to as the costs ‘absurd’ after they noticed each him and Valbuena dropped from the France squad earlier than their 2018 World Cup victory in Russia.
It was solely this season that Benzema was lastly reinstalled within the Les Bleus first group, and he has been enjoying a few of the greatest soccer of his profession.
Each Benzema (proper) and Valbuena (left) have been dropped from the France squad following the scandal. The pair are pictured collectively singing the nationwide anthem on the 2014 World Cup
Valbuena first lodged a proper criticism with police in June 2015 after being telephoned by an unknown particular person concerning the intercourse tape.
Police then posed as buddies of Valbuena, luring three blackmailers right into a lure, they usually have been arrested.
Two of the group had ties to Djibril Cisse, the previous Liverpool participant, who was initially arrested in relation to the case however then launched.
Younes Houass, 32, one of many predominant blackmailers alongside Moustapha Zouaoui and Axel Angot, spent 4 months in pre-trial detention in 2016. All deny any wrongdoing.
In 2014, Benzema was cleared on all costs throughout an under-age intercourse trial in Paris, wherein his co-defendant was the previous France worldwide Franck Ribery.
Each gamers denied knowingly paying for intercourse with Zahia Dehar when she was beneath 18.
Benzema is at present being supported all through his authorized troubles by his spouse, the French mannequin Cora Gauthier, 29.
He was beforehand linked with pop star Rihanna they usually have been pictured out collectively however by no means confirmed the romance.
The trial continues, with judgement anticipated on Friday.